Tag Archive for: #FactCheck

Fact-check: Are these images all from South Sudan?

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No, one of the images shows a village in the Tharparkar Desert in Pakistan. 

Writer: Nancy Caesar

An image shared on Facebook by 64 tribes Media claiming to show a part of South Sudan is false. The image was published alongside five other images, and the text accompanying them reads: “Blessed Country.”

The image in question shows a rural settlement, while the rest of the images are supposedly of different regions of South Sudan, whose flag appears on one of the photos. 

Screenshots of the images from the 64 Tribes page.
Screenshots of the images from the 64 Tribes page.

Other pages that used the same picture with the same caption include Voice of Africa, African Hub, and  Great Africa.

To determine the authenticity of the claim, 211 Check carried out an investigation. 

Investigation:

211 Check carried out a Reverse Image Search on the pictures, and the results showed that the image, which shows a rural setting, was taken from a village in the Tharparkar desert. 

While the image has been shared online several times, such as here and here,  it is attributed to Emmanuel Guddu, who shared the same picture on 23 May 2021, with an accompanying tweet that reads:

“Yes this our Pakistan. This my shot also went viral and many people cropped and removed my watermark and mentioned that this is Thar of India. So here is full and actual shot which I took in a village near Islamkot in Tharparkar Desert of Sindh Pakistan (sic).”

Screenshot of  Emmanuel Guddu’s tweet.

Further investigation revealed that the Tharparkar Desert is an arid region that forms a natural boundary between Pakistan and India. On the Indian side, it is referred to as the Thar Desert, or the Great Indian Desert, and takes up about 85% of the desert’s coverage while 15% falls on Pakistan’s side.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds that most of the pictures were taken in South Sudan, but one is from a village in the Tharparkar Desert.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and African Fact-Checking Alliance.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It is crucial to fight against misinformation and disinformation in mainstream and alternative media by avoiding becoming a victim of fake news. To prevent the spread of false information, you must refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or unaware of its origin. Disinformation and misinformation can be incredibly dangerous because they can mislead people and cause harm. For instance, false information on health matters can lead to wrong decisions that can put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it’s vital to fact-check information before sharing it to promote accurate and reliable information. Visit https://211check.org/ for more details on our fact-checking process, or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 if you want to present a claim. Our team will promptly respond to your request because we believe #FactsMatter. 

Fact-check: Does this photo show a man who added HIV- infected blood to Pepsi products?

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No, the image under investigation was first published nearly ten years ago, depicting the extradition of a terrorism suspect from Sudan to Nigeria. However, the claim fails to specify the location or time of the incident referenced in the post.

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino

An image circulating on WhatsApp claiming that people should avoid consuming any products from the Pepsi Company for a few weeks due to an alleged incident where a worker supposedly added his HIV-infected blood to the beverages firm products is FALSE.

The image shows a man in handcuffs being escorted by police and is accompanied by a message stating that Sky News reported the incident.

A screenshot from the WhatsApp group describes the above situation. 

Investigation:

According to a Google Lens Search of the image, the photo was shared after the arrest of the alleged Nyanya bombing mastermind, Aminu Ogwuche.

Further investigation by 211 Check confirmed that the photo depicts Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, who was arrested in Sudan and later extradited to Nigeria after the Nyanya bomb attack in Nigeria’s Federal Capital. According to the Nigerian site Premium Times, Ogwuche was handed over to the Nigerian police on 15 July 2014.

In another related finding, Vishvas News conducted a fact-check on 15 July 2020. It debunked a claim stating that the man in the photo contaminated Cadbury products with his alleged HIV-positive blood.

However, it’s important to note that according to the Centre for Food Safety and the World Health Organization, HIV cannot be transmitted through water or food because the virus does not survive long outside the human body. Additionally, if food contains a small amount of HIV-infected blood or semen, the virus is destroyed when exposed to air, heat from cooking, and stomach acids.

Elsewhere, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has indicated that the only case where food infected with HIV blood could potentially affect people is if a mother or caregiver who is HIV positive chooses to give pre-chewed food from their mouth to an infant.

Conclusion:

211 Check has found that the claim that a man put his HIV-infected blood in Pepsi products is false and misleading. 

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter 

Fact-check: Was the Iranian President’s trip to Kenya cancelled?

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No, The visit by the Iranian President to Kenya was not cancelled due to a warning from the U.S. government; the visit took place, and both Kenyan and Iranian presidents signed memoranda of understanding to further the relationships.

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A video shared on Facebook by Fuata Nyuki-Wa Kungu claiming that the Iranian President’s visit to Kenya was cancelled is false and misleading. The video, shared on 12 July 2023, contains narration and is accompanied by text stating that Kenya’s president, William Ruto, was panicking after the US warned him not to accord the Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, a state visit to Kenya.

“Ruto has been going all over Africa, chest thumping how Africans should be trading in their currencies away from the dollar. But a simple warning from [the] USA sends him in a panic, causing a diplomatic blunder, after he’s forced by the Western powers not to accord the Iranian President a State visit,” reads the post. 

The video’s narration transcript reads: 

“Imagine this, you are the president of Iran and you are about to embark on a historic tour of Africa, the first of by an Iranian leader in over a decade. You have been invited by the President of Kenya, who wants to boost trade and cooperation with your country. But then something goes wrong at the last minute, you are informed that your visit has been downgraded to an official visit meaning no state courtesies, no pomp and ceremony, no red carpet treatment. You are shocked and insulted by the sudden change of plans. You wonder what could have caused this snub. Is it pressure from the U.S. which imposed sanctions on your country? Is it fear of backlash from Israel which considers you a threat? Is it a sign of disrespect from Kenya which has closer ties with your rivals. You decided to cancel your visit and demand an explanation. You feel angry and betrayed by this diplomatic blunder. You wonder if Kenya is a reliable partner or puppet of the West. This is not a fictional scenario. This is what happened to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi who was supposed to arrive in Kenya today for a state visit. Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visit was rescheduled to allow finalisation of key MOUs that are central to the furtherance of relations. But sources say Kenya changed its mind due to certain reasons that have not been disclosed. Iran has cancelled the visit and is waiting for an apology from Kenya. A high level crisis meeting is currently ongoing at the state house trying to resolve the matter and find ways of convincing President Raisi to come to Kenya. What do you think about this situation? How do you feel about Kenya’s decision? How do you think Iran will react?” 

211 Check investigation: 

According to a media report reviewed by 211 Check, the Iranian President was welcomed with a red carpet in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Wednesday, 12 July 2023.

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi inspects the guard of honour during his state visit at the State House in Nairobi on 12 July 2023. © AFP/Simon Maina

Additionally, according to a K24TV video tweet, the Kenyan President said his country had witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on communication and information technology, fisheries, animal health, and livestock production with Raisi upon his visit to Kenya.

From left Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, accompanied by Kenya President William Ruto (middle), courtesy K24 TV.

The visit was initially slated for Tuesday, 11 July 2023. Still, according to the Kenya Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as per the media report, it was rescheduled for Wednesday to give room for the finalisation memorandum of the understanding.

“The President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, was scheduled to arrive in the country for a visit today [Tuesday]. The visit allowed the two countries to review and re-energize their bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries. The schedule of the President [of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi] has now been reviewed to allow for the finalisation of key MoUs central to further relations. The Iranian President will now arrive tomorrow [Wednesday 12th, July 2023]  for a State Visit,” reads part of the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement as quoted by the media.

“The President will be at the State House at 7.00 am tomorrow [Wednesday] for a bilateral meeting. He will, after that, proceed to lay a wreath at the Mausoleum of the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta before proceeding to tour other African countries,” the ministry added.

In addition to that, Dr. Alfred N. Mutua, the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, tweeted that President William Ruto held high-level bilateral talks with his counterpart, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the five memoranda of understanding signed laid the basis for continued socio-economic cooperation.

The Iranian President’s tour to Africa also took him to Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Conclusion:

The visit by the Iranian President to Kenya was not cancelled due to a warning from the U.S. government; the visit took place, and both Kenyan and Iranian presidents signed memoranda of understanding to further the relationships between the two countries.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and African Fact-Checking Alliance.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s important to fight misinformation and disinformation in media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter 

FALSE: This image is not of protesters in France aboard a police vehicle

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The image is of a scene from Athena, a 2022 film.

Writer: PesaCheck

This image on Twitter, purportedly of demonstrators in France aboard a police vehicle, is FALSE.

The image is of individuals clinging to the door of a moving police van, with one person seated on the roof holding a French flag. A motorcycle follows closely behind the van, performing a stunt.

The photo accompanies the text, “France welcomed ‘peaceful’ Middle East immigrants into their country. Now, that 9% of the population is wrecking (sic) havoc on their cities, even after their Defense Minister deployed 45,000 police in a loose attempt to restore order”.

The post was shared on 1 July 2023, following a series of protests in France triggered by the fatal shooting of a teenager by a policeman in Nanterre.

PesaCheck performed a Google reverse image search to establish the authenticity of the image. The results led to a link on the Netflix website, listing a movie called Athena. The movie is about the aftermath of a tragic incident involving the killing of a young boy.

A trailer for the movie, posted on YouTube in 2022, features a chaotic scene that includes the image we are fact-checking. The image and the trailer share significant similarities, such as the presence of a motorcycle rider, individuals hanging onto the van’s door, and the flag on the roof.

PesaCheck has examined an image on Twitter purportedly of protesters in France aboard a police vehicle and found it to be FALSE.

This post is part of an ongoing series of PesaCheck fact-checks examining content marked as potential misinformation on Facebook and other social media platforms.

Debunking the Mosquito Coil Lung Disease Myth in South Sudan and Ghana (2016)

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There is no clear evidence that long-term exposure to mosquito coil smoke increases the risk of more severe health impacts such as lung cancer, but extended exposure to mosquito coils in enclosed areas should be avoided.

Writer: Jibi Moses

A message claiming that mosquito coils are the common cause of lung cancer in South Sudan and Ghana, making the rounds in WhatsApp groups and private chats, is not supported by substantial evidence.

The message quotes a Medical Journal published in 2016 by Hogarth et al.—Malar, which says that mosquito coil smoke is a potential source of indoor infections and other diseases but did not mention lung cancer. The message, which has pictures of the Zenden brand of Mosquito coil, primarily talks about the dangers of the coil and how it is the leading cause of lung diseases in South Sudan and Ghana.

“Mosquito coils, commonly used as residential insecticides in South Sudan and other African Countries such as Ghana, were the major cause of Lung disease…,” partly reads the message.

The viral message further claims other studies done in Asia show that the insecticide has different chemicals, including chloromethyl, which, the article says, is a highly potent lung carcinogen that can be produced by thermolytic degradation. The content, however, does not have an author or a clear origin.

A screenshot of the circulating message on WhatsApp 

What do we know?

The author quotes the study in his or her article  Malaria  Journal by Jonathan Hogarth, published on February 4, 2016, in Ghana, under the heading Application of Mosquito Repellents, Coils, and Associating Health Issues in Ghana. The report was the final work of research to determine the effectiveness of mosquito coils and repellents and their associated impact. 

The research found that the insecticides were ineffective and posed a health danger but did not explicitly state that it is the cause of lung cancer in South Sudan and Ghana.

A report published by the National Library of Medicine in 2015 by JIE Zhang and others titled Mosquito coil exposure associated with small cell lung cancer: A report of three cases. A research report carried out in Asia on cancer patients was carried out on a few individuals who previously worked with a mosquito coil-producing company. The information admits insecticides have chloromethyl, a highly potent lung carcinogen. However, the report says the significance of exposure is uncertain.

“Mosquito coils, commonly used as residential insecticides in Asia, contain different concentrations of octachlorodipropyl ether (S-2) as a synergist or an active ingredient. As bis(chloromethyl) ether (BCME) is an extremely potent lung carcinogen that can be produced by the thermolytic degradation of S-2, contact with mosquito coils is likely to expose individuals to a certain level of BCME and therefore increase the risk of lung cancer. However, the significance of exposure is uncertain as clinical and epidemiological studies concerning mosquito coil users and workers are lacking….” 

The report concludes that contact with mosquito coils will likely expose individuals to a level of S-2 that may increase the risk of SCLC but does not concretely say mosquito coils cause cancer. 

What is lung cancer disease?

Penn Medicine defines lung cancer disease as any lung problem that prevents the lungs from working properly. World Health Organisation says The significant risk factors for chronic respiratory diseases include tobacco smoke and other indoor air pollution, allergens, household chemicals, and outdoor pollution. Some leading causes of lung diseases are explained here.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that mosquito coil is the leading cause of lung diseases unproven. Though the insecticide has some chloromethyl content, the World Health Organisation says tobacco is the leading cause of lung diseases.

In the face of this uncertainty, the essential lesson should be to avoid extended exposure to mosquito coils, particularly in enclosed areas, The Conversation says.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It is crucial to fight against misinformation and disinformation in mainstream and alternative media by avoiding becoming a victim of fake news. To prevent the spread of false information, you must refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or unaware of its origin. Disinformation and misinformation can be incredibly dangerous because they can mislead people and cause harm. For instance, false information on health matters can lead to wrong decisions that can put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it’s vital to fact-check information before sharing it to promote accurate and reliable information. Visit https://211check.org/ for more details on our fact-checking process, or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 if you want to present a claim. Our team will promptly respond to your request because we believe #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: Viral WhatsApp message about 2023 recruitment at Total Energies is false

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The messages on WhatsApp are scams embedded with malicious links intended to steal people’s helpful information. 

Writer: Jibi Moses

A message is making rounds on WhatsApp claiming Total Energies, one of the world’s leading petroleum business companies, is recruiting. This is false.

“GOOD NEWS!  TotalEnergies Oil and Gas company is recruiting both Skilled and Unskilled Labour with good Salary Payment. It is no longer news. APPLY NOW,” the message reads partially.

On clicking the job advertisement link, it looks too good to be true because it highly emphasizes that the company offers both skilled and unskilled labour. The application is too easy to fill out, and when one is done filling in his details, you are requested to share the link in five WhatsApp groups or over fifteen individuals to get the job.

A screenshot of the job advertisement on opening the link.

What have we found out?

211 Check investigated the advertisement by examining the link attached to the message. Results from one of the vendors on VirusTotal, an online tool used to detect malware and other suspicious wares, show that the connection is embedded with a Malicious URL. These are links created to promote scams or fraudulent activity. They are persuasive, intending to gain sensitive and personal information. Clicking on such links can lead to various consequences, from having your data stolen to being the victim of a cyberattack.

Total Energies is a French multinational integrated energy and petroleum company founded in 1924 and is one of the seven supermajor oil companies. Is Headquartered in  Courbevoie, France. With Subsidiaries of  TotalEnergies, Total Espana SA, SunPower, and MORE currently under the leadership of Patrick Pouyanné as the CEO, He assumed that position on 22 October 2014. 

The company was founded on March 28 March 1924, by  Ernest Mercier. As of 2020, it employs up to  105,476 people with a straightforward means of calling for applications through the Career section on their websites.

We ran the two links on Whois, an online tool that analyses websites and showed that the two links are entirely different. The Total Energies website was first registered in France in 2014 and updated in 2023. Meanwhile, the other link was first recorded in 2023 the United States in America. Earlier this year, a similar advert made rounds on the internet particularly WhatsApp and 211 Check, found it false.

A Screenshot of the Whois details of the Total Energies website as shown by whois.com

A screenshot of the malicious link is shown on whois.com.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds that the advert in WhatsApp groups and private chats claiming to be from Total Energies is false. These are scams embedded with Malicious links intended to steal people’s helpful information. We advise the public to be cautious when interacting with such social media posts and verify the authenticity of any claims before acting on them.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It is crucial to fight against misinformation and disinformation in mainstream and alternative media by avoiding becoming a victim of fake news. To prevent the spread of false information, you must refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or unaware of its origin. Disinformation and misinformation can be incredibly dangerous because they can mislead people and cause harm. For instance, false information on health matters can lead to wrong decisions that can put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it’s vital to fact-check information before sharing it to promote accurate and reliable information. Visit https://211check.org/ for more details on our fact-checking process, or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 if you want to present a claim. Our team will promptly respond to your request because we believe #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: No, this circular was not issued by WHO

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The messages about habits that hurt the brain have not come from the World Health Organisation. The WHO has nothing to do with these false messages being spread in its name.

Writer: Jibi Moses

A Circular purportedly from the World Health Organization is making rounds on WhatsApp with what they say are the seven causes of brain stroke.

The document begins with an invitingly enticing message written in bold letters as, “Please read this msg carefully and forward it to everyone for knowledge.”

A screenshot of the false circular

Investigations

211Check ran a Reverse Image Search to investigate whether it was from the World Health Organization. The results show that the same claim has been circulating for a long time, and many fact-checking organisations have previously worked on it. Facts Crecendo and Vishvas News are some of the organisations, and they found that WHO did not issue this and that these seven habits don’t cause brain stroke, though they can be dangerous to our health if overdone, according to health experts.

“While the seven habits mentioned in the viral post do not directly lead to brain damage, however, it can cause serious health complications when done in excess”.

What is Brain Stroke?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when something blocks the blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or death.

There are mainly two types of stroke, Ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Most strokes are ischemic strokes. An ischemic stroke occurs when blood clots or other particles block the blood vessels in the brain.

On the 29th of October 2016, a report was published by Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh on the WHO South-East Asia website explaining clearly the causes and effects of brain stroke, which he emphasises much as alcohol consumption and over-smoking.

 “People who smoke should quit, and those who drink heavily should cease. These factors alone significantly multiply the likelihood of stroke.”

Fatty deposits called plaque can also cause blockages by building up in the blood vessels. A hemorrhagic stroke happens when an artery in the brain leaks blood or ruptures (breaks open). The leaked blood puts too much pressure on brain cells, which damages them. Also here are some definitions of brain stroke from population health institutions, NHS- UK, Mayo Clinic, NHI, Cleveland and UCLA Health. 

Blood clots and blood leaks in the brain due to vessel ruptures are the main causes of brain stroke. Johns Hopkins Medicine is a medical institution in the US whose mission is to improve the health of the community and the world by setting the standard of excellence in medical education, research and clinical care. Clearly explains the causes, risks factors,  symptoms, Preventive measures and treatment of Brain Stroke.

NHS also explains the causes of brain stroke in this Article and breaks them down as smoking, high blood pressure (hypertension), obesity, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, and excessive alcohol intake; it further goes ahead and explains the Things that increase the risk of high blood pressure include: being overweight, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, smoking, a lack of exercise, stress.

These factors, mainly collaborating, are the leading causes of stroke.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds that the circular in WhatsApp groups, claiming to be creating awareness by spotting the causes of brain stroke, is false and does not originate from WHO.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It is crucial to fight against misinformation and disinformation in mainstream and alternative media by avoiding becoming a victim of fake news. To prevent the spread of false information, you must refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or unaware of its origin. Disinformation and misinformation can be incredibly dangerous because they can mislead people and cause harm. For instance, false information on health matters can lead to wrong decisions that can put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it’s vital to fact-check information before sharing it to promote accurate and reliable information. Visit https://211check.org/ for more details about our fact-checking process, or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 if you want to present a claim. Our team will promptly respond to your request because we believe #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: Did Gumbo Sherikat Juba witness the demolition of these houses?

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These pictures were from Nigeria, Benue state, where the Authorities destroyed two houses of a notorious kidnapper who used them to keep the kidnapped people.

Writer: Jibi Moses

A Facebook page South Sudan News Agency, posted pictures of an excavator demolishing a house. The page boasts 20 thousand likes and 27 thousand followers and describes itself as a Media/ news company managed in Wau and Juba.

 The tabloid says, “An angry man in Gumbo Sherikat demolished a house that he built for his girlfriend’s parents after they rejected his marriage proposal.”

The post attracted over 100 reactions, 50 comments, and 33 shares in one day. However, Other media in East and West Africa have also posted the same pictures with the same false storyline in Kenya (Kenya Today), Nigeria (Naira land forum) and Uganda (Princess Tina).

A screenshot of the image of the building being demolished as posted on Facebook

Investigations:

Comments and posts from the other three countries prompted 211 Check to investigate. 

A Reverse Image Search on the picture shows the pictures were first used on 28 June 2021 in Nigeria. We also discovered the photos were for two separate houses. The Sun, an online Nigerian Outlet, ran the story with the heading “Police demolish two houses used as kidnap den in Benue ”. The piece by Rose Ejembi, written on the 28th of June 2021, has two pictures of the destroyed houses and another snapshot of the owners taken in handcuffs.

“Two houses belonging to a wanted suspected kidnapper and armed robber known as Aondofa Cephas Chekele (alias Azonto) were demolished Monday by the Benue State government”. 

Abdulazeez Badaru Jikamshi, on the 29th of June 2021, posted the same pictures on a Facebook page called Inside Kaduna with two photos of one of the demolished houses. 

“SECURITY NEWS: Benue State govt demolish two houses allegedly belonging to a notorious kidnapper and armed robber Aondofa Cephas Chekele aka Azonto. The state government said this serves as a warning to Criminals that government will no longer tolerate criminal activities in d state. #SecureNorth #SecureNigeria”  as it appears on his post.

Other sources that wrote about the story are here: Ripples Nigeria, Donkes News Lab, and Benue Chronicles News Online, ANN, among many Nigerian News outlets.

A screenshot of one of the pictures used by the Sun shows the police and the kidnapper.
A screenshot of the images of the houses used by the Sun.

Conclusion:

211 Check has found that the pictures of an excavator demolishing a house claiming to be from Gumbo Shirikat are false. These pictures were from Nigeria, Benue state, where the Authorities destroyed two homes of a notorious kidnapper who used them to keep the kidnapped people.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It is crucial to fight against misinformation and disinformation in mainstream and alternative media by avoiding becoming a victim of fake news. To prevent the spread of false information, you must refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or unaware of its origin. Disinformation and misinformation can be incredibly dangerous because they can mislead people and cause harm. For instance, false information on health matters can lead to wrong decisions that can put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it’s vital to fact-check information before sharing it to promote accurate and reliable information. Visit https://211check.org/ for more details about our fact-checking process, or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 if you want to present a claim. Our team will promptly respond to your request because we believe #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: Resignation letter inauthentic, not from Ruweng Administrative Area chief

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The two-page resignation letter purportedly from Stephano Wieu Malek, Administrator for Ruweng Administrative Area, is false and dismissed as fake information by the area information minister.

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino

A resignation letter dated 14th June 2023 addressed to South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, allegedly from Stephano Wieu Malek, Administrator for Ruweng Administrative Area, is false.

The two-page letter circulating in WhatsApp group chats claimed that Stefano Wieu was immediately stepping down from his role and declared allegiance to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO).

What makes this letter inauthentic and, therefore, false?

The document header displays logo colours inconsistent with those officially used in letters issued by the Office of the Chief Administrator for Ruweng Administrative Area (RAA).

Unlike previous authentic letters, the date in this letter is underlined.

A notable difference is that the signature is left-aligned, while authentic letters from the office of the Chief Administrator are typically centre-aligned.

The grammar used in the letter is poor, with multiple spelling errors, including the misspelling of the names of the Chief Administrator.

Image showing an inauthentic letter allegedly from RAA chief

On the 20th of June 2023, the office of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Youths, and Sports Ruweng Administrative Area, Panrieng, made a public statement on its Facebook page dismissing the claim which said that the Chief Administrator of Ruweng Administrative Area, His Excellency Stephano Wieu De Mialek has resigned from the SPLM party and as it’s Chairman in Ruweng- Panrieng.

“This is fake news of the year 2023, and such propaganda is purely the work of the enemies of progress of the Ruweng people,” the statement of the area minister said in part.

An example of an authentic letter from the RAA chief

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim in a two-page letter of resignation allegedly from Stephano Wieu de Mialek, Chief Administrator of Ruweng Administrative Area, false. The document is inauthentic and wasn’t issued by his office. 

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It is crucial to fight against misinformation and disinformation in mainstream and alternative media by avoiding becoming a victim of fake news. To prevent the spread of false information, you must refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or unaware of its origin. Disinformation and misinformation can be incredibly dangerous because they can mislead people and cause harm. For instance, false information on health matters can lead to wrong decisions that can put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it’s vital to fact-check information before sharing it to promote accurate and reliable information. Visit https://211check.org/ for more information on our fact-checking process, or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 if you want to present a claim. Our team will promptly respond to your request because we believe #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: Did Volodymyr Zelenskyy mock African Presidents in Kyiv?

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The text alleged to have been written and signed by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, trying to mock African leaders about their African problems, is not authentic. 

Writer: Jibi Moses

A lengthy speech is making rounds on social media platforms, especially WhatsApp, allegedly of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s opening Speech when he met the African leaders in Kyiv on the 16th of June, 2023. 

The text, which does not have a clear source and date of origin, is alleged to have been written and signed by Zelensky, but this is false.

“Opening Remarks by President Volodymyr Zelensky while meeting African Leaders in Kyiv, Ukraine, 2023-6-16,” the text is titled.

“Zelensky to African Leaders: I am happy to host you here in the beautiful city of Kyiv. I know when u watch your TV in Africa, you get to know that Russia has destroyed the entire city of Kyiv according to Russia’s global propaganda machinery. Still, you have moved around Kieve, and you see how beautiful the city is with welcoming people doing their business; however, with imperialists Vladimir Putin dropping bombs..we have been intercepting most of them. Some we have failed,” partly reads the text.

Screenshots of the text being shared on WhatsApp

The document came after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa recently led an African delegation. The leaders were on a mission in Kyiv to mediate peace between the two warring parties, where Russia was accused of attacking Ukraine.

211 Check did an internet search through the mainstream media to find out the exact speech and to validate whether this claim was valid, and below is what we found out.

The Media is awash with clear messages from President Zelenskys’ speech when he met the African leaders on the 16th of June 2023. Reuters, a news agency owned by Thomson Reuters Corporation, reported on the event with a story titled, “Ukraine tells African Leaders no peace talks with Russia,” written by Pavel Polityuk and Olena Harmash.    

“To allow any negotiations with Russia now while the occupier is on our land is to freeze the war, to freeze everything: pain and suffering,” according to Reuters, Zelenskiy told a joint press conference with the delegation.

A similar report was made by Le Monde, a French daily afternoon newspaper, the leading publication of Le Monde Group, that covered the story with this heading, “Zelensky rules out talks with Russia as he meets African leaders in Kyiv.”

The delegation, including leaders of Senegal, Egypt, Zambia, South Africa, and Comoros, was expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, according to Le Monde and AFP.

While an article by Al Jazeera English, an international 24-hour English-language news channel owned by the Al Jazeera Media Network, stated that Zelenskyy asked African leaders to push Russia on prisoner release.

Other news outlets that reported the story included, among others, Milford Mercury, CNBC, CNN.COM, and The New Times.

Screenshot of a picture of Zelenskiy with the African Leaders.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds that the text alleged to be written and signed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, trying to mock African leaders about their African problems, is false. The writer’s source and intention are not and can not be traced. However, it can fool the society into believing that it’s true. We advise the public to be cautious when interacting with such social media posts and verify the authenticity of any claims before acting on them.

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